title: Multicasting optical interconnects using liquid crystal over silicon devices.
abstract: This work presents the characteristics and expected capabilities of an optical interconnect that uses a diffractive liquid crystal over silicon (LCOS) device as a routing element. Such an interconnect may be used in a neighborhood's optical network to distribute high definition television, thus avoiding an electronic or optical transmitter for each user. The optimal characteristics of the LCOS device are calculated in terms of pixel number and silicon area and found to be feasible with today's technology. Finally, its performance in terms of optical efficiency and number of output ports is evaluated and found suitable for a neighborhood with hundreds of households.
authors.affiliation: Photonics and Sensors Group, Electrical Engineering Division, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FA, UK. ag245@cantab.net
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Georgiou
authors.forename: Jeroen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beeckman
authors.forename: Kristiaan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Neyts